Senators Reverend Warnock, Kennedy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Promoting Economic Development and Stronger U.S.-Africa Relations

The DiasporaLink Act would direct a study exploring the development of a first-of-its-kind undersea fiber-optic cable between the U.S. and Africa

If constructed, a U.S.-Africa undersea cable would serve as both a national security instrument and a digital commerce highway to boost America's global political, economic, and military advantages

Bipartisan effort reflects the senators' commitment to reaching across the aisle to strengthen national security, promote economic development, and strengthen American leadership abroad

Underseas telecommunications networks carry about 95% of intercontinental global internet traffic and 99% of digital communications, including trillions of financial transactions daily

Senator Reverend Warnock: "This bipartisan effort is a crucial first step in strengthening America's global leadership in the telecommunications space-something that impacts our daily lives in an increasingly digital world"

Senator Kennedy: "This bipartisan bill would help the U.S. defend American interests and support our friends in Africa against the predations of Communist China"

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced bipartisan legislation to promote economic development, national security, and improved relations between the United States and African nations. The DiasporaLink Act would direct a study to explore the cost, feasibility, and value of developing an undersea fiber-optic cable between the East Coast of the United States and Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria and Ghana. Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI-AL) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to carry out the study. If ultimately constructed, a U.S.-Africa undersea cable would serve as both a national security instrument and a digital commerce highway to boost America's global political, economic, and military advantages. Moreover, this cable would represent America's commitment to countering the proliferation of China's influence in the global telecommunications space and supporting our regional allies.

"This bipartisan effort is a crucial first step in strengthening America's global leadership in the telecommunications space-something that impacts our daily lives in an increasingly digital world-and I am proud to work across the aisle with Senator Kennedy to get it done," said Senator Reverend Warnock. "If constructed, this cable would be an investment in both a physical connection and stronger diplomatic and economic connections between the United States and African nations, and in turn bolster America's national security by curbing China's growing influence after years of activity in the region."

"Every day, China is laying the groundwork to dominate Africa by controlling internet infrastructure. Beijing is building undersea cables for intelligence transmission, financial transactions, and more. This bipartisan bill would help the U.S. defend American interests and support our friends in Africa against the predations of Communist China," said Senator Kennedy.

Undersea cables are internet highways anchored to the ocean floor that connect two continents, and they are critical to global communication, carrying nearly all of the world's internet traffic. Underseas telecommunications networks carry 99% of digital communications, including trillions of financial transactions daily. As of April 2022, the world has nearly 500 commercial undersea cable systems and over 1,300 landing stations-the point where the undersea cable makes landfall. Whether someone is shopping online, streaming content, or making calls across continents, these cables make our ever-interconnected world possible. Despite their prevalence and importance, there are no undersea cables that directly connect North America with the African continent. Rather, cables from North America will go to Europe or South America, with a separate cable from those continents to Africa.

Establishing a direct undersea cable could spur economic development at landing stations in Africa by increasing reliable broadband access, strengthening data security in the United States and Africa, and bolstering economic and diplomatic ties between the United States and African nations. In recent years, China has spent billions investing in infrastructure in Africa, including telecommunications infrastructure. Strengthening direct ties between the United States and Africa can help counter this influence, by providing an alternative to Chinese-owned technology.

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